Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0018681 (headache)
 56,091 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a serious complication of herpes zoster that has a predilection for older individuals. PHN is often associated with significant morbidity, and it can cause insomnia, fatigue, depression and interference with daily activities in affected individuals. Treatment for PHN is initiated with antivirals during the acute herpes zoster outbreak. Acyclovir (Zoviraxr, GlaxoSmithKline), valacyclovir (Valtrex, GlaxoSmithKline) or famciclovir (Famvir, Novartis) can be used to treat herpes zoster, and all three have been shown to reduce the duration of the herpetic rash and zoster-associated pain. These antivirals are most effective when used within the first 72 hours of the onset of the rash. Side-effects of these antivirals are low and include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache. Other treatment options for PHN include topical analgesics, opioid analgesics, tricyclic antidepressants and gabapentin. Because of the complexity of PHN, most patients require a combination of treatment modalities for adequate pain relief.
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PMID:Treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. 1555 Sep 90

This multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and tolerability of famciclovir administered at 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg three times daily with acyclovir 800 mg five times daily for the treatment of acute uncomplicated herpes zoster in immunocompetent adults. A total of 545 patients participated in this trial. Treatment was initiated within 72 h of the onset of the zoster rash and was continued for seven days. When treatment was initiated within 72 h, famciclovir was found to be as effective as acyclovir at all dose levels for cutaneous lesion healing as demonstrated by the median times to full crusting, cessation of new lesion formation, loss of vesicles and loss of crusts; time to loss of acute pain was comparable in patients receiving famciclovir and acyclovir. Time to resolution of zoster-associated pain, however, occured at a significantly faster rate in patients treated with famciclovir within 48 h of rash onset compared with acyclovir treatment. Famciclovir was well tolerated with a safety profile comparable to that of acyclovir. Gastrointestinal disturbances and headache were the most common adverse experiences in all treatment groups. In conclusion, famciclovir, administered less frequently and at lower unit doses than acyclovir, is an effective treatment for patients with uncomplicated herpes zoster.
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PMID:Famciclovir, a new oral antiherpes drug: results of the first controlled clinical study demonstrating its efficacy and safety in the treatment of uncomplicated herpes zoster in immunocompetent patients. 1861 15